Dublin: The high cost of living and inflation are reflected in all aspects of Irish life, including retail. A new CSO report reflects the general public’s changing lifestyles. According to the data, retail sales in the country fell by 3.1%.
Retail sales fell by 23.7% on a year-on-year basis, according to the CSO figures. All sectors except education saw spending cuts last month. Retail sales recorded the lowest decline in the last nine months in September. According to the CSO, sales increased in only two sectors when compared to September of last year.
Bar sales increased 7.5% but were down 16% from February 2020. Pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic product sales increased 1.4% in September. Meanwhile, book, newspaper, and stationery sales increased by 5.3%, furniture and lighting sales increased by 2.5%, and hardware, paint, and glass sales increased by 2.2%.
Meanwhile, the clothing, footwear, and textiles sectors fell 5.1%. Other retail sales fell 5%, including carpets, games, toys, flowers, fertilisers, pet food, and jewellery. Department store sales fell 4.2%.
Food and beverage and tobacco sales were down 13.3%. Car sales fell by 8.3% and clothing, footwear, and textile sales by 7.5%.
Transactions using credit and debit cards fell 7% in September compared to August, while card transactions rose 10% from a year ago, according to new figures from the central bank.
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